NASA opts for a simplified Sortie Suit for the initial Artemis landings.

      NASA has instructed Axiom Space to create a more straightforward Sortie Suit for the initial lunar landings, aiming to reduce mass and complexity to meet a 2028 deadline. This fast-tracking led to the cancellation of the Lunar Gateway, and ESA's three guaranteed flights for European astronauts were tied to the Gateway's hardware.

      NASA is in the process of simplifying the spacesuit for its upcoming Moon landings, with Axiom Space tasked to produce a more basic version, according to Ars Technica. This version, known as the Sortie Suit, aims to minimize mass, reduce complexity, and provide easier interfaces with SpaceX and Blue Origin landers. Certification timelines are also being shortened, as noted by Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel member Charlie Precourt.

      Axiom is currently the sole supplier, having taken over after Collins Aerospace withdrew in 2024. NASA leadership now engages with Axiom six days a week.

      The initial requirements posed challenges, including six spacewalks over 6.5 days, 210 days in storage, and two hours in a permanently shadowed area, which NASA's inspector general deemed overly burdensome.

      All efforts are directed toward a single date—landing by 2028. Administrator Jared Isaacman has streamlined rocket production and canceled the Lunar Gateway, a program that some countries already viewed as too focused on U.S. interests. This date remains a target rather than a fixed schedule.

      Europe's involvement comes into play with the Gateway's cancellation in March. Europe had been developing three modules: Lunar I-Hab, Lunar View, and Lunar Link, through Thales Alenia Space, Airbus, Redwire, and Beyond Gravity, at a cost of several hundred million euros. These modules were part of a barter arrangement and not merely contributions. Additionally, Europe committed to supplying two additional service modules for the Orion spacecraft.

      ESA secured three opportunities for European astronauts to travel to and work on the Gateway under a memorandum signed in October 2020. With the Gateway now nonexistent, the destination for those seats has been eliminated. Since March, ESA and NASA have been in discussions, but no replacement has been announced.

      Regardless, Europe is still delivering its contributions. This year, it shipped the Artemis IV service module, following reports years ago of European hardware being on a U.S. lander that failed.

      Thus, the simplified suits are intended for missions without European astronauts, as the first landings will utilize SpaceX and Blue Origin vehicles. This raises questions for ESA’s ministers rather than Axiom, as Europe possesses the contractors and lunar technology, but lacks the means to place a European on the Moon.